Inner sole



A. MCLEOD INNER some April 1, 1941.1-

Filed June 6, .1959

INVENTOR ATTO R N EYS Patented Apr. 1, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE 2,237,190 Y 7 INNER, soLE Angus McLeod, Hanapepe, Territory of Hawaii Application June 6, 1939, Serial No. 277,721

' 5 Claims. (o1. 36-29) My invention relates broadly to footwear, and more particularly to soles as used in connection therewith.

-An important object of my invention is the provision of a sole for a shoe that is'durable and comfortable in use.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a pneumatic sole for a shoe that will ease the walking movement of the wearer.

Yet another object of my invention is the provision of a pneumatic sole for a shoe that will render the standing posture of the wearer less fatiguing.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of a pneumatic sole for a shoe that can be cheaply constructed and that is capable of continuous wear for a considerable period of time.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawing, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a device embodying my invention, and showing parts broken away,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of my device and showing parts broken away, and

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

In the accompanying drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration, is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral l0 desighates an upper supporting member, preferably made from a light springy metal, and having transverse corrugations extending from end to end thereof. is similarly provided with transverse corrugations [3, and it is preferably similarly made from recess IS in the rearward end of the lower supporting member l2. The extremity of the filling neck I5 is folded under the supporting member l2 after the body l4 thereof has been inflated.

A suitable binding tape 20 extends circumferentially around the corrugated sole members [0 A lower supporting member if! and l2 and functionsto hold thesame in intermeshing relation withone another and with the inflatable member l4 positioned therebetween. The loweredge of the tape 20 will engagewith the extremity l5 of the inflating member to aid in preventing the air therein from, escaping.

A yieldable cover- I! of cork, or the like, is superimposedon the bottom face of the sole member l2,and the rearward end I8 thereof overlies the neck l5 of the inflatable sack M to form a pocket or recess in which the said neck is normally received. The manner in which the neck is wrapped around the bottom sole will prevent the air within the body of the inflatable member from passing therethrough during the normal walking action. A similar yieldable covering IQ of cork, or the like, is superimposed in appressed relation to the upper surface of the upper wall support I0.

It may be easily seen that when the inflatable sack I4 is substantially filled with air, the upper and lower corrugated sole members l0 and I2 will be maintained in spaced relation with each other, and that a cushioning effect will be evidenced to the person supported thereon. The corrugations of the upper and lower sole members are positioned to intermesh when sufilcient weight is applied thereto, and due to the formation of the corrugations transversely of the members l0 and I2 a great flexibility longitudinally of the foot will be permitted and rigidly effected transversely thereof. The yieldable resilient cover I9 is superimposed on the upper surface of the member ID to prevent the sole of the foot from engaging directly with the corrugations, to the great discomflture of the person supported thereon. The cork material will also impart a substantial springiness to the sole and greatly increase the comfort of the wearer. The interposing of the air cushion between the supporting members It] and I2 will insulate the foot of the wearer from heat, cold and moisture. The sole may be used as the entire and complete sole of a shoe, or it may be made to function as an inner sole adapted to be inserted within the shoe and in appressed relation with the inner face of the outer sole.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention, herewith shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A sole for shoes comprising longitudinally flexible, transversely rigid, upper and lower metallic supporting members, an inflatable member interposed between the said supporting members and superposed essentially resilient layers on the outer surfaces of the supporting members to hold the foot of a wearer from directly contacting the said metallic members.

2. A sole for shoes comprising longitudinally flexible, transversely rigid, upper and lower supporting members, an inflatable member interposed between the said supporting members, and

having a longitudinally extending filling neck, and coverings superimposed on the outer faces of the said supporting members and with the neck of the inflatable member wrapped around one of the supporting members and interposed between the outer surface thereof and the inner surface of the said covering to effectively seal the said inflatable member.

3. A sole for shoes comprising upper and lower metallic supporting members having transversely extending corrugations, said corrugations in the upper and lower members adapted to intermesh, an inflatable member interposed between said supporting members to normally hold the same spaced apart, and superposed yieldable layers on the outer surfaces of the said supporting members. 1

4. A sole for shoes comprising an upper supporting member having transversely extending corrugations, a lower supporting member having a rearward recess and transversely extending corrugations adapted to intermesh with the corrugations of the said first-mentioned supporting member, and an inflatable member interposed between the said supporting members and having a rearwardly extending filling neck received in the said rearward recess of the said lower supporting member and with the extremity thereof extending under the said member.

5. A sole for shoes comprising an upper supporting member having transversely extending corrugations, a lower supporting member having a rearward recess and transversely extending corrugations adapted to intermesh with the corrugations of the said first-mentioned supporting member, an inflatable member interposed between the said supporting members and having a rearwardly extending filling neck received in the said rearward recess of the said lower supporting. member and with the extremity thereof folded under the said member, and yieldable coverings superimposed onthe outer faces of the said supporting members. ANGUS McLEOD'. 

